The Ram Setu: A Symbol of Eternal Love

In a world filled with famous symbols of love like the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, the Venice Canals, and the Love Lock Bridge, there’s a hidden gem that often goes unnoticed—the timeless symbol of love, Ram Setu.

While other iconic structures steal the spotlight, the story of Ram Setu quietly awaits discovery. This blog aims to highlight the often-overlooked symbol of love, ‘Ram Setu,’ unveiling its lesser-known facts and offering a deeper understanding of this remarkable structure. Get ready to embark on a journey to explore the enduring love embodied in the mystique of Ram Setu.

Ram Setu: An Integral Chapter in Itihas (History)

In the world of Sanskrit, there’s a word called ‘Itihas,’ kind of like ‘history.’ But it’s not quite the same. See, ‘history’ often tells ‘His Story,’ focusing on individual tales from the West. Now, ‘Itihas’ is different. It breaks down to ‘this is what happened.’ Instead of zooming in on one person’s story, it invites us to explore all sorts of events. So, while ‘history’ is like a single thread, ‘Itihas’ is more like a colourful tapestry, showing us the bigger picture of what went down.

I introduced the concept of ‘Itihas’ because it’s closely related to what we’re discussing here, and the structure we’re about to explore dates back thousands of years. Interestingly, the word ‘myth’ is also from Sanskrit and means ‘false.’ What’s intriguing is that while Indian people view their history, Westerners often label it as a myth. This contrast suggests a desire to assert one’s beliefs as truth while dismissing others as false. It’s a problematic way to perceive ancient truths and facts.

It’s disheartening to find that the Wikipedia page refers to Ram Setu as Adam’s bridge, associating this magnificent structure with Adam, a figure from Western narratives. In reality, Ram Setu stands as a symbol of ancient engineering and cultural heritage, bearing no connection to Adam or Western folklore. Unfortunately, online rumors further propagate the misconception that Adam built this bridge. It’s important to uphold the historical and cultural significance of Ram Setu without attributing it to unrelated narratives or figures from distant traditions.

Let’s delve into the historical—or should I say ‘Itihasic’—the significance of the Ram Setu.

Rama and Sita

Ram: A symbol of pure love and commitment, qualities that are rare in guys these days.

Image Source: Nippon Ramayana Film Co., Ltd

Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, embodied unparalleled virtue and righteousness. From his early years, he epitomized an ideal son, devoted husband, good brother, loyal friend, and just ruler. His life was a steadfast commitment to dharma, the cosmic and timeless moral law.

His resilience in the face of adversity and dedication to core principles made him one of the most beloved figures in India. Recognizing his exemplary qualities, people honoured him with the title “Bhagwan” (भगवान्), a highly revered term meaning “God” or “Lord,” commonly used in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism to refer to supreme beings worthy of worship and devotion.

Image Source: Nippon Ramayana Film Co., Ltd

Lord Rama, along with his beloved wife Sita and faithful brother Lakshmana, faced a challenging exile to the jungle for 14 years as decreed by his father. We will talk about their marriage in some other blog. Despite the hardships during the exile, their bond remained unbreakable. However, their idyllic life took a grievous turn when Sita was kidnapped by Ravana, the Rakshasa king.

Image Source: Nippon Ramayana Film Co., Ltd

In response to this tragic event, Lord Rama’s actions were nothing short of heroic. He undertook a perilous journey to rescue his beloved wife, Sita, exemplifying his unwavering commitment to the vows they had taken. This significant moment in the Itihas became the very reason behind the creation of Ram Setu, a testament to love, devotion, and the triumph of good over evil.

Ram Setu: The Legendary Bridge Linking India and Sri Lanka

Ravana, the formidable Rakshasa king, learned of Sita’s unparalleled beauty through his sister Surpanakha. Enthralled by tales of her charm, Ravana succumbed to temptation and devised a plan with his Maternal Uncle, Maricha, a shapeshifter Rakshasa, to abduct Sita and take her to Lanka, his kingdom. Maricha, assuming the guise of a golden deer, captivated Sita, prompting her to request Rama to capture it.

As Rama pursued the illusory deer, Laxmana warned of its “Mayavi” (illusion created by some sort of power) nature, but Sita’s insistence led Rama to follow. Unveiling Maricha’s true form, Rama employed a celestial arrow, exposing the Rakshasa. In his dying moments, Maricha deceitfully mimicked Rama’s voice, diverting Laxmana and creating an opportunity for Ravana to abduct Sita.

When Ravana, disguised as a frail holy man, kidnapped Sita, the valiant Jatayu, a divine vulture, defended her. A fierce battle ensued, leaving Jatayu fatally wounded. In adherence to dharma, Jatayu disclosed to Lord Rama the direction in which Ravana’s celestial flying chariot, the Pushpaka Viman, carried Sita.

Guided by Jatayu’s sacrifice, Rama and steadfast Lakshmana pursued Ravana’s path, encountering sages and beings offering subtle clues. Their quest led them to Kishkindha, seeking the aid of Hanuman, the chief Vanara warrior, and the formidable Vanara army. As they reached the sacred shores of Kanyakumari, the Vanara army beheld Lanka, where Ravana held Sita captive. The challenge of crossing the vast ocean prompted them to invoke the blessings of Varuna Dev, the sea and rain deity.

Before commencing the monumental task of building the bridge, Lord Rama conducted a solemn Pooja, seeking Varuna Dev’s benevolence. With divine blessings, they initiated the construction of Rama Setu. The ingenious idea is credited to Nala, a smart Vanara renowned for engineering acumen. The bridge, spanning the ocean’s depths, became the cornerstone of their sacred mission.

Lord Rama, a handsome young prince, embarked on a four-month quest to find his beloved wife, Sita. In an era when kings often had multiple wives, Lord Rama’s love for Sita stood out. Driven by his deep affection and commitment to the vows they had taken, he journeyed to the southern end of India.

Upon reaching the shores, Lord Rama and his devoted army undertook the monumental task of building a bridge. They employed various stones, ranging from substantial rocks to buoyant coral, showcasing their dedication and resourcefulness. Through collective effort and unwavering determination, they successfully constructed the bridge, uniting India and Sri Lanka.

According to sacred texts, Lord Rama and his ‘Vanara army’ completed the construction of the Ram Setu in merely five days.

According to ancient texts, some of the stones used in constructing the bridge were said to be floating. These stones were actually made of dead corals, resembling stones but not truly being stones. Nevertheless, Lord Rama and his Vanara army built a 30-mile (48 kilometers) long bridge, connecting the southern part of India to Sri Lanka.

Once completed, the entire Vanara army crossed the bridge and reached Sri Lanka. A fierce battle ensued, culminating in the defeat of the formidable Ravana. Lord Rama’s love and resilience, coupled with the dedication of his army, triumphed over adversity, reinforcing the enduring values of love, duty, and righteousness.

Image Source: Nippon Ramayana Film Co., Ltd

Having emerged victorious over Ravana, Lord Rama was joyously reunited with his beloved wife, Sita. Their reunion marked the culmination of a challenging journey that tested their love, virtue, and resilience. With the triumph of good over evil, Lord Rama, Sita, and his loyal brother Lakshmana set forth to return to their homeland, Ayodhya.

The journey back to Ayodhya was a triumphant and joyous procession, with the people eagerly awaiting the return of their virtuous prince. The citizens of Ayodhya, who had longed for the return of their beloved ruler, celebrated the homecoming of Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana with exuberance.

Upon reaching Ayodhya, Lord Rama was welcomed with open arms by his subjects, and the city resonated with festivity. The air was filled with the sounds of jubilation and gratitude as the people rejoiced in the return of their righteous prince and the restoration of peace and harmony.

It’s truly tragic that Ram, revered as a god in India and Nepal, must battle legal cases to prove his existence and the sacredness of his birthplace. I intend to delve deeper into this topic in an upcoming blog post. For now, Jai Shree Rama. Thank you for reading, and have a beautiful day. ૐ